Finance Committee Meeting

Minutes – February 12, 2007

Town Hall, Lower Level Hearing Room – 7:30 P.M.

Members Present:  Joel Alpert, Maria Anderson, Charles Goodman, Jonathan Hitter, Ira

                               Miller, Laura Nelson, Edward Philips, Gregory Sydney (Hamilton)

                Absent:   Brian Fitzgerald, Joel Lessard, Gloria Rose

1. The agenda was to review The Warrant for the Special Town Meeting of March 12.  Take positions on the five articles.

2. ARTICLE 1.  Rezoning.  It defines a Business District D for Town of Sharon.  What can and can’t be done within the District.

3. Jon Hitter presented a financial analysis comparing commercial development and residential development component—68 condos and 100 apartments which will be included in the Warrant.

4. Chuck Goodman made a presentation describing which parcels would have commercial, which would have residential, and where wetlands are located.  He also stated that the school population is dropping.  If additional students are added by building homes, cost would be basically for teachers.

5. There was much discussion held on this presentation regarding generation of taxes, no deficiency in building of homes, and possibility of development going bankrupt.

6. Bob Shelmerdine was available and spoke as a representative of the developer.  He gave input on what the developer had been planning to do with the property and then described what they are planning to do under commercial development if rezoned and some residential component.

7. There was some discussion how this development might affect Shaw’s Plaza.  There was continued discussion on what would be done on different parts of the development if rezoned or if not rezoned.

8. There was much discussion on each of the articles in the Warrant and what the impact might be.  The main article is 1.  Rezone to new Business District D.  ARTICLE 2.  Amend Zoning Map.  ARTICLE 3.  Amend Sign By-law to permit signs with that type of commercial area.  ARTICLE 4.  Release of Easement.  ARTICLE 5.  Gift to town of well site.

9. Joel Alpert stated that the committee has a sense of the commercial. We should vote on the concept.  We haven’t had the ability to review specifics.  We are either in favor of the concept without details or are not in favor of it.

10. A MOTION was made by Joel Alpert and SECONDED by Jon Hitter that a sense of the committee in favor of the rezoning being approved by this committee.

11. Each committee member stated their opinion on the motion.  There was continued discussion regarding water usage from this site.

12. Ira Miller stated that the sense of the committee is that they are in favor of the proposal given the available information knowing that more information and details will be forthcoming prior to Town Meeting.  Make final recommendation at Town Meeting.  The proposal has merit.  We will craft language to express that.  We will put in both sides and issues.

13. VOTED:  5-2-1.  For:  Alpert, Hitter, Miller, Philips, Sydney.  Against:  Goodman, Nelson.  Abstain:  Anderson.

14. A MOTION was made by Jon Hitter and SECONDED by Edward Philips to make a recommendation for Article 1 at Town Meeting.

15. VOTED:  8-0-0.

16. A MOTION was made by Jon Hitter and SECONDED by Joel Alpert to make a recommendation for Article 2 at Town Meeting.

17. VOTED:  8-0-0.

18. A MOTION was made by Jon Hitter and SECONDED by Edward Philips to make a recommendation for Article 3 at Town Meeting.

19. VOTED:  8-0-0.

20. A MOTION was made by Jon Hitter and SECONDED by Edward Philips to make a recommendation for Article 4 at Town Meeting.

21. There was some discussion on this motion that the work has been completed, but it might be confusing to vote on this article now.

22. VOTED:  6-1-1.  For:  Alpert, Goodman, Hitter, Miller, Nelson, Philips.  Against:  Anderson.  Abstain:  Sydney.

23. A MOTION was made by Jon Hitter and SECONDED by Maria Anderson to make a recommendation for Article 5 at Town Meeting.

24. VOTED:  8-0-0.

25. There was some discussion regarding the gift of 13 acres to the town.

26. Bob Shelmerdine stated that they don’t own it.  If the By-law goes through, Frank Gobi is selling it to us.

27. Joel Alpert stated that he had drafted responses to Paul Lauenstein’s questions which would be taken under advisement for the next meeting.

28. There was a discussion regarding water demands and the impact of the development on the water supply.  These issues to be discussed at the next meeting of the Water Department.

29. Chuck Goodman gave a brief synopsis of the Priorities meeting.  The issue was the Library and whose sector it belongs in.  Various discussions.  Before vote was taken had legal opinion.  Lake Management Committee as precedent.  Lot of discussion and interpretation.  The vote was 4-2 to move the library out of the Finance sector and into the Selectmen.  An opinion will be given by Town Counsel whether that can be done.  Whether Priorities should be the one that makes that decision.  Capital approved the budget.  1.5% over last year of available funds over last year.  Our next meeting will be the 27^th.

30. Ira Miller stated that the vote was to give the opinion that they approved of the change of sector of the library bearing any opinion to the contrary that it would not be legal to do so.  We expressed this committee’s view there wasn’t authority to do what was done.

31. Jon Hitter stated that Capital Outlay talked about $1.5 million Middle School and Wilbur School that was borrowed and coming under those budgets.  There were 20-year borrowings.  We have to offset additional 20-year bonds.  Due in FY’08.  Use the $1 million to reduce Horizons for Youth override.

32. Jon Hitter reported that Capital Outlay could use 6.5% for operating funds this year which was brought to Priorities.

33. There was some discussion regarding debt pay down and sectors reducing capital request to meet buy down.

34. The next meeting will start the budget review process. The next meeting we will review the library and review budgets in Selectmen sector.

35. There was some discussion regarding this process.

36. The next meeting will be in two weeks on February 26, 2007, at 7:30 p.m.

37. It was MOVED and SECONDED to adjourn.

38. VOTED:  8-0-0.

39. The meeting adjourned at 10:10 p.m.